Escapement mechanism.



H H. CUMMINGS.

ESCAPEMENT MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 050.11. 1915.

Patented May 9, 1916.

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nscArnMENr MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 9, 1916.

Application filedDecember 17, 1915. Serial No. 67,467.

'1 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY H. GUMMINGs, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Newton, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Escapement Mechanism, of which the fOllOWing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to escapement mechanism capable of general use, my invention being in no wise restricted to any particular use thereof.

In order that the principle of the invention may be readily understood, I have disclosed a single embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of an escapemen mechanism embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a view of certain parts of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1 viewed from the top 1 of the sheet; Fig. 8 is a view of said mechanism looking from the right in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the parts shown in Fig. 3; and 5 is a section on the line of Fig. 2.

The so-called dead beat escapement has been found efficient so far as certain uses go, but where a large number of beats per second occur, as for example, from 300 to 500, it is impossible, in escapements known to me, to secure accuracy of control.

In the course of certain experiments conducted by me, I have ascertained that the slower the speed at which I may maintain a constant or approximately .constant rate of escapement action, the greater the de gree of accuracy of control. sult may be secured in different ways, I shall set forth one form of mechanism for accomplishing this result.

Preferably I provide a plurality of escapement devices that are arranged to operate out of unison or non-synchronously. In the course of my experiments, I have ascertained that'by providing a plurality of escapement devices and securing a resultant or composite movement of some suitable element or part, I may thereby obtain great accuracy of control. In the disclosed emdiment of my invention, I have Provid d While this re- 7 an element by which I am enabled to impart or which I permit to partake of a substantially continuous movement in one direction. This I preferably do by providing a pair or other plurality of escapements operating alternately or otherwise out of unison and in such manner that each escapement device permits the movement of said escapement to be immediately or substantially immediately followed by a permissive movement of said element through or controlled by the-other escapement. In this manner I may obtain through a dead-beat or other suitable escapement the operation of said element at such a consequent or otherwise suitable speed as to control the desired mechanism, device or object with great accuracy.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, I employ a shaft operatively connected to which is a spring tending constantly to' rotate the shaft. 1 The two escapements (which is the number preferably employed) are operatively connected to the shaft at opposite sides of the axis thereof, the escapements acting oppositely and alternately, so that each tends to turn the shaft in the same direction. Inasmuch as each escapement starts each of its movements at or before the termination of the corresponding movement of the other escapement, it follows that the movement of rotation of the shaft is continuous and not intermittent.

In the disclosed embodiment of my invention, I mount upon a suitable base 1 a bracket 2 having upstanding members 8, 4, wherein I position a horizontal shaft 5, the bearing of said shaft 5 in its end support 3 being slightly elongated as represented at 6 in Fig. 2, so as to permit a slight rocking motion of said shaft from one end thereof as a pivot to and from the plane of the sheet, viewing Fig. 3. The construction of parts is such that the said shaft may have a slight pivotal movement in the bracket member 41 in effecting such rocking motion. Fast upon one end of said shaft 5'is a beveled gear 7 adapted to mesh with beveled pinions 8, 9,

loose upon the stud 10 rising from the base 1. The bevel pinion 8 has fast thereon an escapement ratchet 11, and the beveled pinion 9has fast thereon an escapement ratchet 12, the teeth. whereof are oppositely posi.-

tioned with respect to those of the ratchet 11. Surrounding the shaft 5 is a coiled spring 13, one end 1 1 whereof is secured to a collar The other 15 fast upon the said shaft 5. end of said spring is fixedly secured to a clamp 16 loose about the shaft 5 and having a sleeved portion 17 extending into a split portion 18 of the bracket 3, said split por-- tion of the bracket being provided with a setscrew 19 by means of which it may be tightened about the sleeve of said collar 16. The collar 16 is provided with a'knurled, disklike extension20, by means of which the collar may be turned in order to wind up the coil spring 13, thereby to give it suflicient ten sion to turn the shaft 5, when rotation there of is permitted by the escapement ratchets 11, 12. Inasmuch as one end of said spring 13 is fast to the shaft 5 and the other end of said spring is secured to a support, the tendency of such spring 13 is to impart a movement of rotation to the shaft or element 5 in one direction, such movementbeing governed or controlled by the escapement ratchets 11, 12.

In the disclosed embodiment of my invention I employ the shaft or element 5 to impart movement to some suitable device, such, for example, as a controller which may in any suitable manner be operatively connected to said shaft 5.

Upon the base 1 I mount the bracket or casing 21 shown most clearly in Fig. 2 and wherein is supported the spindle 10, whereon the escapement ratchets and their beveled pinions are loosely mounted. Within said casing or bracket I also mount in a preferablv upright position the shaft 22 of any suitable escapement operating mechanism. I have herein represented the said shaft as having fast thereon a balance wheel 23 and a hair spring 24 which may be of any suitable construction, not herein necessary more fully to describe. I also mount in an upright position within the casing or bracket 21 a shaft 25 having fast thereon oppositely positioned, double-ended pawls or pallets 26, 27 which control the operation of the escapement ratchets 11, 12. Fast upon the shaft 25 is an arm 28 extending toward the balance wheel 23 and having its end suitably mounted upon the pin 29 thereon, whereby in the usual operation of the balance wheel, the said arm 28 is rocked to and fro, thereby to oscillate the shaft 25 with its oppositely set pawls or pallets 26, 27. In order to prevent premature operation of the balance wheel, I may provide any suitable means.

erein as shown most clearly in Fig. 1. I have provided a bracket 30 having a beveled portion 31, wherein is frictionally received a bracket member 32 having a weighted outer end 33 and an inner angular end 34 adapted to enter a notch in the periphery of the balance Wheel and to restrain the same from movement. The movement of the weighted end 33 may be effected in any suitable manner to remove the inner angular end 3 1 from the balance wheel, thus permitting the same to begin its movement and thereby permitting alternate movements of the escapement ratchets 11, 12. The beveled gear 7 is in mesh with the beveled pinions 8, 9 of the escapement ratchets 11, 12. Each beveled pinion 8, 9 is temporarily restrained from movement by its escapement ratchet, but the construction and operation of parts hereinbefore described are such that instantly upon the release of the ratchet 11 and its pinion 8, the shaft 5 receives movement of rotation from its coil spring 13, and upon said ratchet 11 and its pinion 8 being held from action, the ratchet 12 and its pinion 9 immediately act to permit movement of rotation in the same direction of the shaft 5, so that I may in this manner render the movement of the shaft 5 substantially and essentially constant, this depending upon the timing of the escapements with reference to each other. Thus the mechanism or device to be operated may be caused to move at a substantially constant rate.

Qwing to the fact that the shaft 5 receives a pivotal mounting in the bracket 4 and may vibrate slightly in its bearing in the bracket member 3, it will be evident that the beveled pinion 7 has a driving relation first with the beveled pinion 8, and then with the beveled pinion 9, between and relative to which it has a slight rocking or vibrating motion, because one of said pinions 8 or 9 is restrained from rotative movement by its ratchet 11 or 12. The rotation of the beveled gear 7 is arrested alternately and permitted alternately by the pinions 8 and 9 at its point of mesh therewith, so that the shaft is given. a movement of substantially constant rotation through the agency of the coil spring 13.

It will be evident from the foregoing description that the bevel gear 7 is alternately in effect pivoted at the points of intermesh with the bevel. pinions 8 and 9. When, for example, the so-called pivotal point is at the pinion 8 (at one side of the axis of the shaft 5) there is at the pinion 9, such a relation of parts that there the shaft 5 receives a movement about its axis, which may be described as downward, away from the plane of the sheet, at the underside of the shaft 5, viewing Fig. 3. At or before the termination of this movement, the pivotal action at the pinion 9 begins and at the pinion 8 there is such a relation of parts that the shaft 5 receives a further movement about its axis in the same direction, which may be described as upward away from the plane of the sheet at the top of the shaft 5 viewing Fig. 3. These two movements, alternating accurately with each other and initiated at opposite sides of the axis of the shaft 5 give said shaft a continuous movement in one direction about its axis, and it is obvious that there need be no dwell at all in the movement of the shaft. This movement may be readily appreciated by regarding the shaft as positioned axially in line with the eyes of the observer. At one side of the axis of the shaft, the tendency of one escapement is to permit an upward movement of a given point on that side of the axis of the shaft. As this movement ceases, it is instantly replaced by a downward movement of a given point on the opposite side of the axis of the shaft. Each of these movements is in the same direction circumferentially of the shaft and hence the shaft receives a continuous movement of rotation and not an intermittent movement. The relation of parts is such that there is no necessity for any dwell whatever as must occur in pendulum and like escapements.

lVhile I have shown two nonsynchronous escapements, it is evident that I am not limited to such number, inasmuch as any suit able number of non-synchronous escapements may be employed, the joint effect of said escapements being transmitted to a part or element, such, for example, as the shaft 5.

By the practice of my invention, I am enabled to drive from the shaft 5 or other suitable element any desired part or mechanism at a substantially uniform rate, notwithstanding the very rapid operation of the escapement mechanism.

Having thus described one illustrative embodiment of my invention, I desire it to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

IVhile I herein use the term escapement wheel or wheels the same is used in a broad and generic sense and not as a limitation, it being evident that the term wheel is a broad and generic expression.

Claims:

1. An escapement mechanism comprising a plurality of non-synchronized escapement wheels, an element controlled by said escapement wheels and provided with means tending to impart continuous motion to said element, and means whereby one escapement wheel functions to permit movement of said element substantially as another escapement wheel ceases to function in permitting move ment of said element, whereby a substantially continuous movement of said element is permitted.

2. An escapement mechanism. comprising a plurality of non-synchronized escapement wheels, an element controlled by said escapement wheels and provided with means tending to impart continuous motion to said element, and means whereby one escapement wheel is released substantially as another escapement wheel is arrested, whereby a substantially continuous motion of said element is permitted.

3. An escapement mechanism comprising a plurality of escapement wheels moving in alternation, an element controlled by said escapement wheels and provided with means tending to impart continuous motion to said element, and means whereby one escapement wheel is released at substantially the same time as the other is arrested, whereby a substantially continuous motion of said ele ment is permitted.

4. An escapement mechanism comprising a plurality of non-synchronized escapement wheels, an element controlled by said escape ment wheels and provided with means tending to impart continuous motion in one clirection to said element, and means whereby one escapement wheel is released at substantially the same time as another is arrest ed, whereby a substantially continuous motion of said element in one direction is permitted.

5. An escapement mechanism comprising a plurality of non-synchronized escapement wheels, a shaft controlled by said escapement wheels and provided with means tending to impart continuous motion to said shaft, and means whereby one escapement wheel is released at substantially the same time as other is arrested, whereby a substantially continuous motion of said shaft is permitted.

6. An escapement mechanism comprising a plurality of non-synchronized escapement wheels, a shaft controlled by aid escapement wheels, a spring tending to impart continuous motion to said shaft, and means whereby one escapement wheel is released at substantially the same time as another is arrested. whereby asubstantially continuous motion of said shaft is permitted.

7. An escapement mechanism comprising a plurality of non-synchronized escapement wheels, an element controlled by said escapement wheels and provided with means tending to impart continuous motion to said element, means whereby one escapement wheel is released at substantially the same time as another is arrested, whereby a substantially continuous motion of said element is permitted, and holding means for the escapement wheel releasing and arresting means.

8. Escapement mechanism comprising a plurality of oppositely positioned, doubleended pawls, an escapement wheel operating device therefor, a corresponding number of .ra tchet wheels adapted to be restrained from movement by said pawls, a shaft, movement of which is governed by said ratchet wheels, and means tendlng to impart a movement of substantially continuous rotation in one direction to said shaft.

9. Escapement mechanism comprising a plurality of oppositely positioned, doubleended pawls, escapement wheels operating means therefor, oppositely positioned ratchet wheels with which said pawls engage, a gear fast with each ratchet wheel, and a shaft having a gear adapted alternately to be controlled in movement by said ratchet gears, and means tending to rotate said shaft whereby a substantially continuous move ment in one direction. is imparted to said shaft.

10. Escapement mechanism comprising a pair of oppositely positioned, double-ended pawls, an escapement wheel operating device for said pawls, oppositely positioned ratchet wheels adapted to be engaged by said pawls, beveled gears respectively carried by said ratchet wheels, a shaft, having a beveled gear adapted to mesh with said ratchet bevel gears, and a spring for rotating said shaft.

11. Escapement mechanism comprising a pair of oppositely positioned, double-ended pawls, an escapement wheel operating device therefor, holding means for said escapement operating device, a pair of oppositely positionod ratchet wheels to be engaged by said pawls, gears fast with saidratchet Wheels, a shaft having a gear adapted alternately to be controlled in movement by said ratchet wheel gears, and means tending onstantly to rotate said shaft.

12. An escapement mechanism comprising a plurality of non-synchronized escapement wheels, non-gravity actuated means for operating the same, an element, means tending to impart continuous movement to said element. and means whereby one escapement wheel functions to permit movement of said element substantially as another escapement wheel ceases to function in permitting movement of said element, whereby a substantially continuous movement of said element is permitted.

13. An escapement mechanism comprising a plurality of non-synchronized escapement wheels, balance wheel means for operating the same, an element, means tending to impart continuous movement to said element, and means whereby one escapement wheel functions to permit movement .of said element substantially as another escapement wheel ceases to function in permitting movement of said element, whereby a substantially continuous movement of said element is permitted.

14. An escapement mechanism comprising a plurality of'non-synchronized escapement wheels, operating means therefor, a shaft, a spring tending to impart continuous movement thereto in one direction, a gear secured to said shaft, and gears corresponding'in number with said escapement wheels and meshing with said shaft gear at opposed points.

15. An escapement mechanism comprising a pair of non-synchronized escapement wheels, operating means therefor, a shaft, a spring tending to impart a continuous movement thereto in one direction, a gear secured to said shaft, and a pair of gears respectively fast with said escapement wheels and meshing with said shaft gear at opposed sides of the axis of said shaft.

16. An escapement mechanism comprising a pair of non-synchronized escapement wheels, operating means therefor, a shaft, a spring tending to impart a continuous movement thereto in one direction, a gear secured to said shaft, and a pair of gears respectively fast with said escapement wheels and meshing with said shaft gear at opposed sides of the axis of said shaft, the members of said pair of gears acting alternately to hold the shaft gear and to release the same for rotative movement.

17. An escapement mechanism comprising a pair of non-synchronized escapement wheels 11, 12, operating'means 24L therefor, shaft 5, spring 13 to rotate the same, gear 7 upon said shaft, and gears 8 and 9 meshing with the gear 7 and respectively movable with said'escapement wheels 11, 12.

18. An escapement mechanism comprising a plurality of escapement wheels and an element cooperating with said wheels to permit the movement of one of said wheels at least during the arrest of another wheel, whereby a substantially continuous move ment is effected.

19. An escapement mechanism comprising a pair of non-synchronized escapement wheels, and an element cooperating with said wheels to permit the movement of one of said wheels at least during the arrest of the other wheel, whereby asubstantially continuous movement is effected.

20. An escapement comprising a part to be rotated, means tending to impart continuous rotation thereto, and means comprising a plurality of escapement wheels whereby said continuous motion is permitted.

21. An escapement mechanism comprising a plurality of escapement wheels, a part to be rotated, means tending to impart continuous rotation thereto, and means cooperating with said .wheels to permit the movement of one of saidwheels at least during the arrest of another wheel, whereby a substantially continuous movement is effected.

22. An escapement comprising a part to be rotated, means tending to impart continuous rotation thereto, and means comprising a pair of escapement Wheels acting in alternation, whereby said continuous move- In testimony whereof, I have signed my ment is permitted. name to this specification, in the presence of i0 23. An escapement comprising a part to two subscribing Witnesses.

be rotated, means tending to impart contin- HENRY H CUWINGS uous rotation thereto, and means comprising a plurality of non-synchronized escape- Witnesses:

ment Wheels, whereby said continuous move- IRVING U. ToWNsnND,

ment is permitted. ROBERT H. KAMMLER.

Copies of this.patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. G. 

